#nrbq

[lisamarie-vee]

[dustedmagazine]

Listed: Jad Fair

Photo: Brian Birzer

Jad Fair’s music has been described as “art punk,” “primitive rock,” “naive pop,” and “experimental,” though none of those labels quite capture what it is. Never encumbered by the conventions of songwriting or technical virtuosity, or the idea that an instrument should be tuned, the guitarist/singer/visual artist always made the music that felt most natural. It’s not an experiment, he has said. It just is.

In the mid 1970s Fair started Half Japanese with his brother, David. In 1980 they released their famously audacious debut, a triple album called Half Gentlemen/Not Beasts. It was a raw explosion of teenage boy id. The brothers, both on vocals, indulged obsessions (girls, mostly) over discordant guitars and drums that bubbled and burst like boiling water.

Half Japanese has released many records since, in addition to the mountains of music that Fair has put out over the years, solo and in collaboration with Daniel Johnson, Yo La Tengo, Teenage Fanclub and many others. Over the course of 2021 he released two albums a week on Bandcamp, and then started making music with singer/songwriter/multiinstrumentalist Samuel Locke Ward. They just released their second record, Destroy All Monsters about which Dusted’s Margaret Welsh wrote that “In its warmth and sincerity, Destroy All Monsters straddles a strange line: It impersonates flimsy holiday novelty but resonates on a deeper level. Here are some of Fair’s favorite records.

It’s difficult to just choose 10 albums. There are so many albums that I love.

The Shaggs — Philosophy Of The World

I first heard Philosophy Of The World in 1979. I was given a cassette of it and immediately took to it. It was like no other album I’d heard. The music and lyrics are so sweet and sincere. I was very pleased that I was asked to do cover art for the release of The Dot Wiggin Band’s album Ready! Get! Go!. When I saw Dot’s band perform I was surprised to see that the musicians were reading music. I asked Dot about it and was told that the music for the Shaggs was written out.

The Modern Lovers — The Modern Lovers

In 1974 I read an interview of Jonathan Richman in Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine. I was impressed with what Jonathan had to say. When the Modern Lovers album was released I sent away for it and was floored by it. It’s a super fine album.

Spider John Koerner — Some American Folk Songs Like They Used To

Spider John Koerner is one of my favorite folk musicians. It’s a shame that very few people have heard the album. I think it’s his best.

Lord Invader — Calypso Travels

I’m a huge fan of calypso music. Lord Invader is a great calypsonian. I love the way he sings and his band is top of the top.

The Stooges — Fun House

I grew up in Michigan and when I was a teen, most of my favorite bands were from Michigan. Michigan had The MC5, The Stooges, Question Mark and the Mysterians, Destroy All Monsters and Motown. I felt I was living in the best state for music.

Daniel Johnston — Hi How Are You?

In 1984 my band Half Japanese had a tour with a stop in Austin. Daniel’s manager (Jeff Tartakov) gave me a cassette of Daniel’s album. During the tour we played it over and over in the van. I know many amazing musicians. What’s rare is a musician that is also a fine lyricist. Daniel was one of the best. He was a genius, and I was so lucky to have worked with him.

Bob Dylan — Basement Tapes

I like the relaxed feel of the songs. Bob Dylan and the Band were such a great match. Super fine songs and super playing.

Howlin Wolf — The Complete RPM and Chess Singles

In the early 1970s, I bought a lot of albums of Howling Wolf. It’s hard to beat Howling Wolf as a performer. He had power and charisma.

NRBQ — All Hopped Up

NRBQ is my favorite band. When I lived on the East Coast I would go to see them anytime they had a show in Maryland or DC. Definitely the finest live band I’ve seen.

James Brown — Live At The Apollo

It’s hard to pick just one James Brown album. He released so many great albums. Live At The Apollo has James in top form. It’s a brilliant performance. It’s star time!

[jt1674]

[guessimdumb]

NRBQ - It’s Not So Hard (1972)

This fine pop tune can be found on the same LP as oddities like Howard Johnson’s Got His Ho-Jo Working and Who Put The Garlic In The Glue.

[bzzlab]

NRBQ. I Love Her She Love Me, 1978

[phonyhulkamania]

[howlingmoonradio]

May 25th Playlist

We mozy our way into the Memorial Day weekend with a set of distinctively American sounds from a few fave artists. Highlights include a new track from Rodney Crowell and some previously unreleased live tracks from NRBQ and Little Feat

Side A

Howling at the Moon-Hank Williams

Memorial Day-James McMurtry

Lucky-Rodney Crowell

Guilty Bystander-John Doe Folk Trio

Organ Grinder Swing-Jack McDuff

It’s a Wild Weekend-NRBQ

That’s All-NRBQ

We’ll Make Love-NRBQ

Side B

All that You Dream-Little Feat

On the Way Down-Little Feat

Time Loves a Hero-Little Feat

Day Or Night-Little Feat

Skin it Back-Little Feat

[americanahighways]

REVIEW: Skeeter Davis & NRBQ “She Sings, They Play”

REVIEW: Skeeter Davis & NRBQ “She Sings, They Play” @americanahighways @nrbqheadquarters #skeeterdavis @omnivorerecordings #americanamusic #newmusic2024 #americanahighways #shesingstheyplay

Skeeter Davis & NRBQ – She Sings, They Play I respect efforts like this when an artist from another era or genre teams with an unlikely group of musicians to create something eccentrically marvelous. The late Skeeter Davis (1931-2004) was a 60s pop singer who hit in 1962 with the sad but poignant “The End of the World,” that came from her 4th album. This kind of pairing I wished someone would…

[phillyradiogeek]

NRBQ: Christmas Wish

BRIAN'S MUSICAL ADVENT CALENDAR DAY 27!

[minkoffpictures]

Tom Ardolino

[guessimdumb]

The Wildweeds - No Good to Cry (1967)

Got my mitts on this wonderful 45. The Wildweeds were a Connecticut blue-eyed soul group led by Al Anderson, later of NRBQ fame. 

[stupidcowboykid]

oh nrbq tiddly winks album, we're really in it now...

[classicprowrestling]

Captain Lou - NRBQ - 1981

[julio-viernes]

La banda de Louisville, Kentucky, incluyó en su álbum debut de 1969 "NRBQ" una preciosa canción compuesta por Carla Bley y Terry Adams, "Ida", dedicada a la actriz y cantante Ida Lupino.

Era un momento en el que Bley era casi una total desconocida, pero ya se sabe del gusto del Nuevo Quinteto / Cuarteto de Ritmo y Blues , aparte de su siempre brillante y celebrada "good time music", por extrañas criaturas como Albert Ayler, Sun Ra (en ese mismo primer LP NRBQ hicieron su "Rocket Number 9"), Thelonious Monk o la propia Bley.

En 1979, Carla Bley compuso y produjo las canciones del primer álbum en solitario de Nick Mason, baterista de Pink Floyd, "Fictitious Sports", aunque el disco no fue publicado hasta 1981.

Es un elepé en el que cualquier parecido con Pink Floyd es fortuito. En realidad es un disco de Carla con el gran Robert Wyatt de cantante en el que también toca Mason, pero se agradece, para sonidos Floyd en solitario ya están los de Waters, Gilmour y Wright.

[3garcons]

NRBQ at The Hangar in Troy Saturday 2023